Blair pitches for new Brexit referendum

LONDON: Former British premier Tony Blair on Friday made a strong pitch for a fresh Brexit referendum to break the current deadlock over a controversial Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union (EU), even as PM Theresa May insisted the deal she has struck remains the best one on the table.

London, December 14

Former British premier Tony Blair on Friday made a strong pitch for a fresh Brexit referendum to break the current deadlock over a controversial Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union (EU), even as PM Theresa May insisted the deal she has struck remains the best one on the table.

The former Labour Party leader’s speech in London in favour of a ‘People’s Vote’ came just before May admitted that there was “work to do” to reassure British MPs that they should vote for the Withdrawal Agreement when it comes before Parliament.

“There is work to be done. It is clear we can look at this issue of further clarification. We will be working expeditiously over the coming days to seek those further assurances,” May told reporters.

“We are now entering a new phase of Brexit. The government has lost the initiative. Parliament has taken it. We know the options for Brexit. Parliament will have to decide on one of them. If Parliament can’t, then it should decide to go back to the people,” Blair said. — PTI